The TSA has made a change in regards to walking sticks. However, a couple caveats, if you are flying internationally, the country you are flying home from may not allow walking sticks, and there's always the "TSA agents always have the final say". So even if something is allowable, in theory, the agent may decide to not allow them. Also, the sticks must be the rounded end type, not the ones with sharp points.
Posted by
1957 posts
Sharp points - understood.
Believe it or not, there such a thing as a “tactical” walking stick, whereby, the spear tip is concealed in the shaft. A person unscrews the tip segment, rotates it, and screws it back together as a weapon. People can probably also conceal other types of contraband within the shaft.
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
7956 posts
Well, the MSN article link in the original post says poles are OK now, with some caveats, as noted above. But the article also says, “If you're hoping to travel light, take a look at the TSA's advice on what you can bring …” and it includes an embedded link to the TSA Website. There, it still says that @hiking poles” are allowed in checked luggage, but not when carried on (green check mark vs. red “X”).
I’m still having to check bags, as done on the last several trips, until I’m certain that it’s more likely that they won’t be confiscated than that they will be. The disclaimer that it’s always up to the TSA worker, and if they’re having a good day, or think I looked at them wrong, or have something against anyone with trekking poles is the other dubious thing.
Posted by
1059 posts
TSA made me throw away my tactical pen on one trip.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17456 posts
I would not attempt carry-0n for my poles (with rounded tips) until I see it in writing. And then I would carry a copy of that. As Cyn notes, the TSA website says that hiking poles are NOT allowed in carry-on bags.
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/sporting-and-camping?page=3
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
7956 posts
The alphabetical TSA items list, in the “A’s,” also says that antlers are allowed in carry-on, as long as they fit in the airplane’s allowed storage space. Really? An antelope’s antlers are relatively small, but are pointy and potentially more lethal than a small pair of scissors, for example. Elk antlers probably aren’t going to be even considered, but imagine someone positioning them under a seat, or threading them around bags already in an overhead compartment.
Compared with other things that are allowed but could arguably be used for more harm than trekking poles could, lightweight, folding poles would be nice to be able to be confident that they could be carried on in a suitcase. Getting them through security at a non-TSA airport is still the biggest concern.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
11888 posts
TSA made me throw away my tactical pen on one trip.
If it was something like this with a glass breaking tip, I am not surprised
Posted by
OP
Twin Cities of MN
6496 posts
Well, yesterday the TSA website said hiking poles are allowed in carry on bags. I did actually print it out. And today, it’s been changed. So, I guess, JK!
Lately, I’ve been bringing a cane, when I don’t check bags.
Posted by
Virginia
887 posts
Yeah, no... don't go rushing to the airport yet with your trekking poles just yet.
"That was an accident": TSA error gives hikers false hope for flying with trekking poles – here's what you need to know
Treat news feeds like third parties.
Posted by
OP
Twin Cities of MN
6496 posts
The error was the TSA. They printed it on their website. The news sources only reported what the TSA had posted
Posted by
Virginia
887 posts
The error was the TSA. They printed it on their website. The news sources only reported what the TSA had posted
YES, absolutely! TSA messed up and adventure.com/Julia Clarke put out a correcting article to the originial report. It's the various news feeds, Google, AoL, MSN, Bing, et al, they're not necessarily curating and pushing out the corrective article, which came out Thursday, while still promoting the original report.
Posted by
Paris
10224 posts
Good grief, what a mess
Posted by
1957 posts
Anything with the word tactical in it will most likely be confiscated.
Wal-Mart; ozark trail poles around $15 - 20, unless higher due to inflation. Buy at destination and donate before leaving. However, a traveler may not have access to Wal-Mart and sometimes, the poles are out of stock.
Victorinox - Swiss Army knives - nearly went out of business due to 9/11 and TSA. Thank goodness the company found alternatives.
Posted by
482 posts
Cyn nailed it:
The disclaimer that it’s always up to the TSA worker, and if they’re having a good day, or think I looked at them wrong, or have something against anyone with trekking poles is the other dubious thing.
Security Kabuki....... brad
Posted by
OP
Twin Cities of MN
6496 posts
So, just saw an article forwarded to me, today, ironically, "TSA Agents spill the 9 Travel Mistakes that Slow Down the Security Line". Today, I feel like one of the listed mistakes should be, "Following information on the TSA website".